1
as in to horse around
to engage in attention-getting playful or boisterous behavior
the athletes warmed up, happily showing off for the crowd before the match officially started
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
as in to display
to present so as to invite notice or attention
she just wants to show off her new jewelry
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in hotshot
informal + disapproving
a person who tries to impress other people with his or her abilities or possessions
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of show off
Mikael Wood, Los Angeles Times, 12 May 2025
To wit, at the same time, the junior outfielder showed off the benefits Saturday afternoon of taking up long-distance running to build up her endurance but also increase her speed and quickness.
—Patrick Z. McGavin, Chicago Tribune, 12 May 2025
Chris Vognar, Los Angeles Times, 31 Dec. 2024
This one-of-a-kind cultural exchange program invites visitors to come into the homes of vetted, welcoming locals, who are likewise looking to meet travelers and show-off what their country has to offer in a unique way — and maybe just make a few new lifelong friendships along the way.
—Sandra MacGregor, Forbes, 13 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for show off
Verb
LaBelle showed off two outfits, emerging in a silky blue suit before changing into a long tunic-style dress.
—Mikael Wood, Los Angeles Times, 12 May 2025
To wit, at the same time, the junior outfielder showed off the benefits Saturday afternoon of taking up long-distance running to build up her endurance but also increase her speed and quickness.
—Patrick Z. McGavin, Chicago Tribune, 12 May 2025
Noun
This was my chance to not be an actor, not have that stink of being an actor, that egotistical, show-off, controlling, making choices, being clever part of being an actor.
—Chris Vognar, Los Angeles Times, 31 Dec. 2024
This one-of-a-kind cultural exchange program invites visitors to come into the homes of vetted, welcoming locals, who are likewise looking to meet travelers and show-off what their country has to offer in a unique way — and maybe just make a few new lifelong friendships along the way.
—Sandra MacGregor, Forbes, 13 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for show off
Recent Examples of Synonyms for show off
Verb
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Four people are facing charges in Louisiana for horsing around in a small-town Walmart last week. Video that was posted on TikTok and went viral on social media showed three men and a teenage boy riding horses through the business in Baker, Louisiana.—
Elizabeth Pritchett,
FOXNews.com,
16 Apr. 2025
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Quit horsing around — the Clydesdales are back!—
Breanne L. Heldman,
People.com,
10 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Good objects to display include small paintings, pottery, baskets, seashells, or a framed postcard.—
Maria Sabella,
Better Homes & Gardens,
20 May 2025
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Like Leads and Contacts, Insightly displays Opportunities in a table by default.—
PC Magazine,
PC Magazine,
20 May 2025
Noun
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But he's also got a hotshot attorney from Los Angeles on his side in an unofficial capacity – and prosecutors don't like it.—
KiMi Robinson,
USA Today,
9 May 2025
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Carle, the hotshot University of Denver coach, makes sense as a top target, though.—
Fluto Shinzawa,
New York Times,
30 Apr. 2025
Verb
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How To Make Tater Tot Breakfast Casserole Prep bacon: To make this recipe even easier, cut up your bacon before cooking it.—
Mary Shannon Wells,
Southern Living,
10 May 2025
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The government still leads all sectors in job cuts through the first four months of the year, with government cuts up 680% compared to the first four months of 2024.—
Molly Bohannon,
Forbes.com,
1 May 2025
Verb
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In 1956, a survey of over 2,000 professors showed that 61% had been contacted by the FBI; 40% worried that students might misrepresent their politics; and about a quarter would not express their views for fear of the government.—
Time,
Time,
20 May 2025
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Social media videos of the crash showed the ship's 147-foot masts sheared off by the impact.—
Melina Khan,
USA Today,
20 May 2025
Verb
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As Molly and Guy start to fool around, things get hot and heavy, but Ernie has a job to do.—
Erin Qualey,
Vulture,
7 Apr. 2025
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As Molly and Guy start to fool around, things get hot and heavy, but Ernie has a job to do.—
Erin Qualey,
Vulture,
7 Apr. 2025
Verb
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This theory makes sense to some researchers because, around the same time, Neanderthals were starting to exhibit more complex behaviors, like making stone tools and deploying sophisticated hunting tactics.—
Sarah Kuta,
Smithsonian Magazine,
16 May 2025
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By combining three different types of nonlinear building blocks – each of which exhibits specific force-extension behaviors – in a network arrangement, the team was able to create a countersnapping system.—
Abhimanyu Ghoshal,
New Atlas,
15 May 2025
Noun
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And for the most part, the wise guys weren't overly impressed with the Green Bay Packers’ offseason.—
Rob Reischel,
Forbes.com,
6 May 2025
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The wise guys that summarily swooped him up were rewarded with 10 multiple-TD games and a QB8 finish on the year.—
Bill Reinhard,
New York Daily News,
30 Jan. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Show off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/show%20off. Accessed 24 May. 2025.
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